The youth of Kathorus celebrated ‘Youth Day’ differently from other years by exercising and adding positivity into their lifestyles, they also shared that they are continuing were the youth of 1976 left-off.
The Youth of ward 54 in Thokoza in partnership with lesedi pub and grill helmed a programme filled with sporting codes and fitness activities: they firstly had a walking session in the morning, followed by aerobics and bootcamp exercises; in conclusion of the function they held netball and street soccer games.
Mohau Mokoena who is one of the event organisers shared in delight, saying: “In the past years we celebrated June 16 differently from what we are doing today, we are celebrating the day by introducing sport because we know that any type of sport can instill discipline on individuals, our programme included both the old and new generation because we want the new generation to learn from the old generation.”
Wilson Mbatha famously known as ‘Coach’ in his community, who participated in the commemoration initiative said, “I’m happy to celebrate June 16 in this way, I have gained fitness and strength today more than anything.”
In another initiative established by the Future Shapers Fitness Club in Huntersfield stadium which was also held to honour the heroes and heroines of 1976, the founder of the Fitness Club Ntokozo Mwelase enlightened the “The people’s No.1 choice newspaper” mentioning that they have rolled- out the aerobics segment to celebrate their youthfulness on the youth day.
He clarified stating that, “Through the aerobics I want us to celebrate our youthful years in a positive way by improving our mental, physical and spiritual health and even our well-being in general. As the youth of today, we don’t have the same struggles of the youth of 1976, therefore with the workout session, I want to narrate a different story of a young person.
“I want people to know that even under these dire conditions of unemployment a young person can still add positivity in the community, I can safely say I’m ‘mirroring’ what they did(the youth of 1976) but in a different era. I also want us as young people to take the stones that were thrown at us and reconstruct a life that is good for us, the turnout today was excellent, I appreciate all the locals who came to support me,” he expressed in appreciation. He added saying: “We are having another aerobics programme on the 24th of September 2021(Heritage day).”
An adrenaline addict who joined the aerobics segment, Boitumelo Kau (a member of “Gym Star”), expressed herself during an interview, saying, “exercising is my-life-style but I joined the session because I wanted to commemorate ‘June 16’ by adding positivity in my life, however, the event was well organised,” she disclosed. The final event which Ekurhuleni news covered was organised by the 7K Stunts members (Kgotso Moloi, Papi Nkoane, Kutlwano Peter Mofokeng and Karabo ‘7’ Kgolane) it consisted of cyclists from various areas in Kathorus who raised awareness about the importance of cycling towards the “Go green” drive.
Kutlwano Peter Mofokeng expressed saying “The main objective of the function was to commemorate the youth day by educating the modern youth on what transpired on this iconic day while bestowing healthy lifestyles and good moral values to them .” “With the movement, we are trying to prevent young people from getting into criminal activities. The cyclists covered a 7.5 Kilometre distance and before that, they were joined by the SAPS and EMPD officers early in the morning. In that session, the Police officers took the opportunity to raise awareness against abuse and gender-based violence. ‘Ko Sakelang’ Buy and Braai catered for the initiative.”
Kgotso Moloi lastly added, saying: “Bicycles were only used as modes of transport back then, but now it is a symbol that unifies because different people were unified today,” he concluded.
By Matampane Raymond Mokwena
